fill in the blank

_______ + 59/27 Co (59 atomic mass 27 atomic #) -----> 56/25 Mn + 4/2 He


helium same as alpha particle so its basically _____ + 59/27 Co -----------> 52/23 V



right? but how do you do the first part

all thats missing is a neutron

neutron mass 1 charge zero... how does that added to 59/27 Co make 52/23 V

Add up the atomic mass on the right side --> 56 + 4 = 60
Add up the # protons on the right side --> 25 + 2 = 27

The atomic mass on the left side must be the same, so x + 59 = 60 --> x = 1
The # protons on the left side must be the same, so y + 27 = 27 --> y = 0

Something with an atomic mass of 1 and is not a proton? That's exactly 1 neutron.

ok that makes sense but we've been learning that alpha particles are exactly the same as a helium nucleus so thought you had to minus the 4/2. ok thanks